Marcus Bartley

Marcus Bartley (1917 - 14 March 1993)was an Anglo-Indian cinematographer who played a key role in the success of many Indian films. While at school, Bartley was an amateur photographer. He joined the Times of India in 1935 as press photographer, and then became a newsreel cameraman for British Movietone under the auspices of the Times of India. He was the cinematographer of all time classics like Maya Bazaar and Chemmeen.

Bartley arrived in Madras and joined Pragati Studios. His maiden film was Swarga Seema in 1945. This film showed his genius at Black and White photography. The movie strengthened the friendship between him and the BN Reddy, KV Reddy, and Nagi Reddy. Successively, Bartley worked in many studios such as National Studios, Newtone Studios and Vauhini Productions. He wielded camera for all the forty odd Vauhini movies including such great hits as Yogi Vemana, Guna Sundari Katha, as well as Vijaya's productions Shavukaru, Patala Bhairavi, Pellichesi Chudu, Chandraharam, Missamma, Maya Bazaar, Appuchesi Pappukudu, Gundamma Katha, Shri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club, etc. Most of the superhits of those times were made with his photographic hand at the camera. His specialty was the shots under the moonlight.

• In Maya Bazar film, a few magic moments that mesmerised several generations of filmgoers and continue to do so. The evergreen song Lahiri, lahiri lo was shot at Ennore near Madras at noon. The outdoor shooting lasted only for 10 to 15 seconds. Bartley created the illusion of moonlight and Mayabazar is the first Indian film to do so.
• The other wonder was the creation of Dwaraka. Some 300 miniature houses, no two alike, were created in about 50 x 60 ft. space and electrified. The ace photographer credited this to art director Madhavapeddi Gokhale.
• In Maya Bazar, during "Vivaha Bhojanambu" song, the visual effects created to show Ghatotkacha eating laddus is memorable, and still awe viewers of different generations.

• Ace lensman recalls magic moments in the Hindu

• Recipient of the gold medal at the International Film Festival held at Cannes for the movie Chemmeen in Malayalam in the year 1978.
• He won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography in India in 1970 for Shanti Nilayam.

• Fifty and still refreshing in the Hindu.

• Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye (1984)
• Mamangam (1979)
• Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977)
• Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
• Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970)
• Shanti Nilayam (1969)
• Saathi (1968)
• Ram Aur Shyam (1967)
• Chemmeen (1965)
• Gundamma Katha (1962)
• Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961)
• Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)
• Maya Bazaar (1957)
• Missamma (1955)
• Chandraharam (1954)
• Kalyanam Panni Paar (1952)
• Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
• Patala Bhairavi (1951)
• Shavukaru (1950)
• Gunasundari Katha (1949)
• Yogi Vemana (1947)
• Swargaseema (1945)